Who makes more money, dental assistant or medical billing and coding?
Asked by: Irving Herzog I | Last update: December 24, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (68 votes)
Do medical coders or medical assistants make more money?
The average salary of a medical assistant is $42,000. These are in-person jobs, working on-site within an office, making it a great job option for people who like to keep busy and be around others. Alternatively, medical coders earn an average of $48,780 and have a few more options in where and how they work.
Who gets paid more, MA or DA?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that medical assistants earned a mean hourly wage of $18.36 and a mean annual salary of $38,190 in May 2021 (www.bls.gov). Dental assistants, on the other hand, earned a mean hourly wage of $20.44 and a mean annual salary of $42,510 in the same reporting year.
Which pays more, medical billing or coding?
In general, medical coders typically earn more than billers.
What type of dental assistant makes the most money?
- Implant Coordinator. ...
- Certified Dental Assistant. ...
- Surgical Dental Assistant. ...
- Expanded Function Dental Assistant. ...
- Registered Dental Assistant Rda. ...
- Periodontal Assistant. ...
- Pediatric Dental Assistant. Salary range: $36,000-$46,000 per year. ...
- Dental Associate. Salary range: $32,000-$38,000 per year.
Medical Billing and Coding: Navigating the Differences for a Successful Healthcare Career"
Can you make 6 figures as a dental assistant?
How Much Do Dental Assistants Make in CA? Dental assistants typically make between $37,000 and $60,000 in California annually.
What is the downside of medical coding?
You may find the work repetitive.
Medical billing and coding can be mundane. You may enter the same patient details into different systems multiple times during the day. Although there would be other work, most of your days will be spent on the computer doing repetitive tasks.
Is a dental assistant the same as a medical billing and coding?
Dental Assistants often require on-the-job training or a certificate program, while Medical Billers and Coders usually need a diploma or associate's degree. Dental Assistant training is generally shorter and less expensive than the training for Medical Billing and Coding, which can take 1-2 years to complete.
How long does it take to become a coder and biller?
How Long Does It Take To Become a Medical Biller and Coder? In most cases, it takes between one and three years to become a medical biller and coder. Earning a medical billing and coding certification can take up to one year, while earning an associate degree can take up to three years.
How to make more money as a dental assistant?
Being certified can provide new career opportunities. CDAs are more likely than non-CDAs to perform restorative functions, be lead dental assistants, become office managers, and work as educators. All of these opportunities can potentially boost your income.
Can I work in a dental office as a medical assistant?
Most medical assistants work in doctor's offices, outpatient care centers, and hospitals. You may also work at places such as dental offices, nursing homes, and physical therapy clinics to help run the office and improve patient care.
Who gets paid more MA or RN?
No, having been a Medical Assistant after going through a technical college, the pay was just a little over minimum wage. In CA experienced RNs can make up to $61 and more depending on what city you work in.
Who makes more money, a dental assistant or a medical assistant?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the salary of a dental assistant is slightly higher than a medical assistant. However, job outlook and growth are better for medical assisting.
Can a medical assistant become a coder?
Within healthcare, specialized medical assistants are among the most in-demand professionals. Matching office administration skills with medical billing and coding opens up more opportunities in both general healthcare administration and specialized medical services.
Which is easier, medical billing or coding?
You may be more comfortable in medical coding. Coders more often do their day-to-day work on their own in occasional collaboration with other healthcare staff. This is typically a better option for analytical, detail-oriented students uneasy with the idea of talking to people all day.
Does a medical coder make more than a medical assistant?
While they both work in healthcare, the daily responsibilities of a medical assistant and a medical records specialist are different: Pay. Medical coders (average of $48,780) make about $10,000 per year more than medical assistants (average of $42,000).
Who gets paid more, CNA or dental assistant?
CNAs typically earn a lower wage than Dental Assistants, but demand for both CNAs and Dental Assistants is expected to grow. CNA training and Dental Assistant programs are often offered through community colleges, vocational schools, and technical schools with both in-person and online learning options.
What is a dental coder called?
Certified Dental Billing Specialist (CDBS) and Certified Dental Coder (CDC) credentials.
What medical coder gets paid the most?
- Coding Director. Salary range: $44,500-$122,000 per year. ...
- Coding and Reimbursement Specialist. Salary range: $59,000-$97,000 per year. ...
- Coding Manager. Salary range: $52,000-$83,000 per year. ...
- Medical Coding Auditor. ...
- Hospital Coder. ...
- Coding Compliance Specialist. ...
- Coder. ...
- Medical Coding Manager.
Can a medical coder work from home?
Medical coders and billers are a crucial part of the industry, and their roles can be performed virtually anywhere, making it an attractive opportunity for many who are looking for a job where they can work from home.
Are medical coders being phased out?
Answer: While AI is increasingly being used in medical coding to automate routine tasks and improve accuracy, it is not expected to replace medical coding jobs entirely. Instead, AI will complement the work of medical coding specialists, allowing them to focus on more complex cases, quality assurance, and oversight.
Is a dental assistant certificate worth it?
Not only do they hit the ground running by working along chair side with real dentists, but they are also able to locate clinical jobs straight out of dental assistant school and earn a full-time, competitive salary with benefits. All with almost zero student debt and a promising dental assisting career outlook.
How much does it cost to go to school for a dental assistant?
Cost of Dental Assistant Associate Degree Programs
The average cost of an associate degree program in 2021 was $7,600. Of course, there is a huge variety in the cost of different colleges. For example, an associate degree from Carrington College in Sacramento California can cost nearly $40,000.